“Why would I lie?” Selena’s expression softened. “You deserve to be together, and I am the answer to your problems… as it seems I am for many others.”
“Selena,” V’dim breathed. “We would be honored to join your clan and take you as our nestqueen.”
“You can’t do that!” Rixta shrieked.
“Chamber Master, do something! You can’t allow her to corrupt any more citizens of CEG. She has already turned three males to her side, one of them the second prince of the Aldawi Empire. She can’t be allowed to continue!” Ayoza demanded.
The Chamber Master stood up and chuckled, his lavenderglass-like wings flaring open, and crossed his arms. A smile crossed his face as his magenta glow flared.
“The Assembly has no right to interfere with this… complaint. No laws are being broken. You wasted everyone’s time with this pettiness.”
“But—”
“No. Selena has argued and defended her stance. If both princes want to bind themselves to her, they are within their rights to do so. Neither of you is going to ruin that.”
In an instant, Selena grabbed both princes by their arms and pulled them close. She gripped V’dim’s face and pulled him down to meet hers. Their lips met. His tentacles came alive and wrapped themselves around her, holding her close. V’dim shuddered as his coloring kept shifting from his normal dark blue to green excitement and light blue peace.
The room watched in silence, awed by the display.
Odelm yearned to hold her, knowing deep down, she was angry at them and stressed from the whole situation. He glanced over at Z’fir, whose facial expression was laced with worry… and jealousy?
She dropped her hands and pulled away as she looked deeply into V’dim’s eyes. He nodded and slowly untangled himself from her.
Without waiting for V’dim, Selena reached for Z’fir and pulled him close, sandwiching herself between both males.
Selena smashed her mouth onto Z’fir’s and gripped his leafy hair. A moan escaped him as his vines wrapped around the three of them. Both males’ appendages entangled themselves around the three of them, holding them tightly together.
Odelm watched his nestqueen claim both princes. The joyous moment felt cheapened by the situation. They weren’t within the walls of their clan’s land—or anywhere private.
No. She engaged in something sacred in front of the whole Assembly and the crowd above.
Something deep inside him burned.
What was this feeling?
Letting go of his waist blade, he rubbed his chest to try to alleviate the pain to no avail.
Was she replacing them?
“Why do you think that?”Xylo asked, concerned.
“How can we compete with the princes? They look like traditional Circuli males and are more powerful than us. What use would she have for us, now that she has them?”Odelm replied sadly.
“You dare question our nestqueen? She has mentioned multiple times she would never have any Favored. Do you truly believe she has changed her mind? That she has replaced us?”Xylo questioned.
“How do you know this isn’t punishment for what we did? She just gave them the right to produce hatchlings with her. She hasn’t brought up hatchlings with me. Has she discussed it with you?”
“I believe she is angry with us, but I don’t believe this is some punishment. She isn’t like Circuli nestqueens. Remember that. That is why we both fell for her so fast. It is not in her nature to do such a thing, even with her inexperience and ignorance about social norms.”
“We have been in this chamber for far too long,”Odelm complained.
“I feel the same, nestbrother. I am ready for us to have our connection with Selena unblocked. I want to be able to hear her thoughts and sense her feelings once again and explain to her why we didn’t warn her.”Xylo glanced over and gently touched Odelm’s chest.“You are bleeding, nestbrother.”
Odelm looked down at his hand. His fingers had cuts that were already healing. The blue blood had dried up.
When did that happen?
“They are mine… You can’t have them. No one can. Once I complete the bond, and I will soon, it will be permanent,” Selena promised. “Don’t worry. I know how topleasea male… My nestmates have no complaints.”
